Defining a Compact Printed Circuit Board Component

You can apply properties to a 3D part that model the behavior of a compact printed circuit board (PCB).

When you define a compact PCB component in one finite element model (FEM) representation, the app defines it in all FEM representation instances.

Before you begin:
  1. Create a geometry to represent the abstracted version of the compact PCB, instead of using the detailed PCB geometry.

    For more information, see Creating Abstraction Shapes.

  2. Mesh the abstracted geometry.
  3. Add the meshed geometry to the simulation.
See Also
About Compact Printed Circuit Board Components
  1. From the E-Cooling section of the action bar, click Compact PCB Component .
  2. Optional: Enter a descriptive Name.
  3. From the 3D area, select a part to be the compact PCB.
  4. Select the axis system and the axis that is perpendicular to the plane of the compact PCB.
    OptionDescription
    Global Aligns the local feature triad with the global coordinate system.
    Local Aligns the local feature triad with a selected axis system in the model.

    The axis system selection affects the computation of the orthotropic conductivity of the compact PCB, which the app decomposes into values in the in-plane and perpendicular directions.

  5. In the table, enter values for the Thickness of each layer and the Percent to define the volume of signal traces for each layer of the compact PCB.
  6. Click Search to search the Material Palette for a substrate material, which is the material that holds the signal traces and circuit components together.

    You must apply a solid material.

  7. Click Search to search the Material Palette for a signal trace material, which is the conductive material that transfers power to the PCB components.

    You must apply a solid material.

  8. Click OK.